On a beautiful Wednesday in October we traveled north and visited Waco, Texas.
Our goal was to go to The Silos at Magnolia Market and get some of their famous baked goods in celebration of Leah’s birthday.
Our first stop, though, was William Cameron Park and the Waco Riverwalk to let the dogs – Kilo and Harley – expend a little energy. The weather was perfect for a walk in the park!
William Cameron Park
According to the Waco – Heart of Texas website:
The 416-acre park, a gift of the William Cameron family, features towering live oaks, stunning bluffs overlooking the Brazos and Bosque Rivers, and a National Recreation Trail system. Mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians share the park with disc golfers, picnickers, and bird watchers. Cameron Park is one of Waco’s greatest treasures ….
One unique highlight was Jacob’s Ladder – although it clearly is not accessible!
As described by the Waco Department of Parks and Recreation:
Climbing this quirky staircase is one of Cameron Park’s most beloved challenges. Built in the early 1900s by a family living at the top of the bluff, the original ladder was constructed entirely out of cedar trees from the park.
The present-day Jacob’s Ladder was completed in 1963 and is characterized by its cedar railing, zigzag design and uneven cement stairs. Each step was built according to the ground’s slope, which accounts for the uniqueness of each step. The aged structure now includes 88 winding steps to the top and is still usable today, due to periodic renovations.
Trekking up and down Jacob’s Ladder tired the pups and their humans! So we took a short break and had a little lunch at one of Cameron Park’s many picnic tables.
Waco Riverwalk
Refreshed and ready to continue walking and exploring, we headed upriver along the Waco Riverwalk.
The Waco – Heart of Texas website has this to say about the Riverwalk:
The Waco Riverwalk includes approximately seven miles of multi-use, lighted trail that loops along both banks of the Brazos River. The scenic riverwalk stretches from Baylor University to Cameron Park and passes underneath the Suspension Bridge. The rivewalk is accessible from various points through downtown Waco and captures the natural beauty of the Brazos River Corridor.
Waco Sculpture Zoo
Along the way we passed numerous sculptures, which we later learned were part of the Waco Sculpture Zoo and represented animals that are native and/or can be found in the nearby Cameron Park Zoo.
Again quoting the Waco Department of Parks and Recreation:
The mile-long stretch of the Waco Sculpture Zoo features 28 artworks varying in style, form and materials. Each sculpture represents an animal that can be found in Cameron Park Zoo or that is native to the area …
The sculptures were commissioned by Creative Waco following a national call for artists, a rigorous juried selection process and the generosity of private donors. The project features work by 17 different artists from across the United States, including 2 local sculptors.
Magnolia Market at the Silos
Sufficiently tired from our walk in the park and along the river, we loaded up the car and traveled a few blocks to our primary destination: Magnolia Market and, most especially, the Silos Baking Co.
Magnolia Market and its famous landmark silos occupy two city blocks in downtown Waco. Owned by HGTV “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, the store offers items in Joanna’s unique style.
Admission to the complex is free. Visitors can play free games on the lawn or picnic in the shade. The shops and grounds are updated frequently, so be sure to come back to see how it grows and changes with the seasons!
Saving the bakery for last, we first walked around the grounds, browsing Magnolia Market and the Seed + Supply shop and admiring the adjacent garden.
The paths were wide and wheelchair friendly, there were food trucks and plenty of benches and other types of seating, as well as large grassy areas for picnicking and play.
(Note: This “grass” is artificial. There are signs posted asking that visitors take their pets to the real grass in the back of the shopping area to “do their business.”)
And Finally, Cupcakes!
Our last stop was Silos Baking Co.
According to the website, this building was part of the cotton oil mill at the Silos, and later became a flower shop called Rosetree Floral.
Chip and Joanna Gaines bought the Silos property in 2014 and turned this century-old building into a signature bakery, “filled with Jo’s personal recipes and hand-picked favorites.”
I had heard that the Strawberries ‘N Cream cupcake was amazing – and the rumor was true! It was one of the most delicious cupcakes I have ever eaten! In fact, we bought two!
We also purchased the Lemon Lavender and the Chocolatier cupcakes, as well as a sampling of cookies: Classic Chocolate Chip, Brownie Cookie, and our favorite – The Silo Cookie (oatmeal chocolate chip with peanut butter chips and walnuts).
We’ll Be Back!
Our day in Waco was the perfect way to celebrate Leah’s birthday!
And when friends and family come to visit us in Texas, you can be sure we’ll add the Waco Riverwalk and The Silos to our “must visit” list.
(But we’ll probably skip Jacob’s Ladder!)
All Photos: ©Jeri Murphy Photography
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